UNICEF and Partners Launch Coalition to Protect Children’s Rights in Age of AI

UNICEF and Partners Launch Coalition to Protect Children’s Rights in Age of AI
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UNICEF, together with the governments of France and Spain and a group of international partners, has launched the Coalition for Children’s Rights and Protection in the Age of Artificial Intelligence during the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva.

The coalition aims to ensure that children’s rights, safety, and wellbeing remain central to global discussions on AI governance as the technology continues to develop rapidly.

At the time of its launch, the initiative had received support from 17 UN member states, including Kenya, Brazil, Japan, Bulgaria, Italy, and Sweden, as well as the European Union. The coalition brings together governments, UN agencies, international organizations, industry, and civil society to turn commitments on child protection into practical action.

UNICEF Global Chief Information Officer and Director for Digital Impact Kaan Cetinturk said a generation of children is growing up within a global AI experiment and will live with its consequences the longest. He said UNICEF would support countries in sharing effective practices and developing common standards.

The coalition will focus on promoting safe, secure, trustworthy, and rights-respecting AI systems for children. It will also strengthen international coordination, encourage the sharing of evidence and good practices, and ensure that children’s views are included in decisions about technologies that affect their lives.

Senior officials from governments, UN agencies, and international organizations attended the launch, including representatives from France, Spain, Kenya, the European Commission, the International Telecommunication Union, the UN human rights office, UNESCO, and UNICEF.

Participants stressed that children are already affected by AI and should not be treated as an afterthought in governance debates. They also agreed to continue the work through future international processes, including the next UN Global Dialogue on AI in 2027.

UNICEF said the coalition will serve as a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and implementation to help ensure that children’s interests and rights remain a priority as the future of artificial intelligence is shaped.